A COMMUNITY group in Kearsley has stepped up to help restore a school playing field after travellers settled on the site.

The area, behind St Stephen’s Primary School, was left with damage to the grass from caravans, as well as reports of broken glass, dirty nappies, needles and chopped-up trees.

However, Bolton Council - which owns the field - said it was the school’s responsibility to begin repairs.

Tracy Black, of Bentspur Road, described the situation as “disgusting” and unfair on the school.

Tony Lason, headteacher at St Stephen’s, said the clean-up would be a strain on resources and would take money away from other important funds, prompting a team of residents to rally together and bring things back up to scratch.

In a joint statement by the group, labelled Kearsley Community Group, a spokesman said: “The travellers came a few weeks ago and we didn’t think there would be a problem, but when they left the police and council didn’t seem to be getting involved.

“Once we knew that the travellers were going we had a lot of residents who said that they were happy to get going and make things a bit better.

“We have tried to make it impossible for vehicles, such as cars and motorbikes to get on to the field, and we have planted some seeds and tried to bring some greenery back to the area.

“We have tried to finish this before the children come back from summer holidays.

“It’s brought the community together to show what people want to do and improve this area.”

The group began work earlier this week, first clearing the area of rubbish, before reseeding areas which had been damaged and then putting down new soil.

The decision by the council not to clean up the area angered ward councillor Julie Pattison, who explained that she was “not happy “ that St Stephen’s would have to foot the bill for the clean-up.

She said: “They have got no funding whatsoever at a time we are all suffering from austerity taking money from a local primary school — money they haven’t got — isn’t good.”

In response, Explaining the council’s stance on the field, a spokesman said: “We took action to move on the travellers as swiftly as possible and we are now advising the school on the necessary clearing up of the site.”

Travellers first settled on the site on Tuesday, July 31, when 12 caravans were seen by residents moving on to the field at around 11pm.

The council served notice on the group the next day, and they left the site around six days after they had first arrived.